Musharraf's party was roundly rejected in parliamentary elections this month.

More than a dozen recent newspaper editorials and commentaries have accused the United States of "meddling" in Pakistani affairs, The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) said Friday.

Many are reported to have taken particular umbrage at statements by U.S. President Bush and other senior officials praising Musharraf, despite his lack of support at home.

They say insistence that Musharraf play a significant role will only draw out a harmful power struggle.

No change appears to be forthcoming, the Times says. John D. Negroponte, the deputy secretary of state, said the United States would maintain its close ties to Musharraf.